A Maiden's Thoughts

November 9, 2013, 11:13 AM.

After packing away the wireless signal receiver, bug detector, and other instruments into a large suitcase, Kiana collapsed onto the bed. The soft mattress and comforter swallowed half her body, as if to wash away her exhaustion.

The snow-white comforter was the perfect thickness for autumn and winter. The lavender scent that filled her nostrils was a subtle, pleasant aroma. A row of wardrobes along one wall held two sets of bathrobes and caps with the tags still attached, along with neatly arranged hangers of various sizes.

The single room had an en-suite bathroom with a shower and a bathtub. On the sink counter were unopened bottles of shampoo, and several small packets of assorted body wash and hand soap.

In her memory, the young man had apologetically mentioned he didn't have a separate conditioner for women, or extra toothbrushes and toothpaste. He promised to bring them when he made dinner, and even thoughtfully asked about details like whether she liked the Kiana-themed toothbrush holder.

Kiana had been thoroughly taken care of. When the young man was tidying up the room, she offered to help, but Su Qing'an earnestly refused, citing Shenzhou customs that it was impolite to let guests do work.

To keep her occupied while she waited, Su Qing'an skillfully prepared a cup of iced latte with extra sugar. The drink, with its distinct black and white layers, was presented to Kiana in a glass. When he mentioned it was an employee perk, Kiana's urge to pay vanished.

Her intuition told her that all these kindnesses were pure and full of goodwill.

Kiana's intuition was remarkably accurate. While it might sound a bit mystical, she could genuinely sense the atmosphere between people, how much they were lying, and whether they harbored good or ill intentions.

Since embarking on her journey to find her father, many experiences had proven the existence of this intuition. That's why she usually didn't bother thinking too much; malicious intent was often beyond the reach of intellect, and hidden malice couldn't escape her perception.

So, stumbling along, Kiana had grown accustomed to solving problems with her fists.

Yes, brute force was indeed effective.

Kiana wasn't stupid. Theoretically, praising her intelligence wouldn't be a lie.

In any case, everything today was strange. Under normal circumstances, even with such accommodations, Kiana would have refused to avoid trouble. Her striking appearance and solitary situation meant that refusal would prevent most problems.

Her habit of carrying listening devices, bug detectors, and wireless signal receivers was a testament to her experience with such matters.

But she had agreed. Because a fantastical, almost familiar flutter had shattered the shell she'd built to avoid trouble, making her inexplicably want to stay.

Of course, having spent money carelessly on her journey, Kiana was also realizing that her father's savings had dwindled to a point she dared not look at them too closely.

"Su Qing'an, huh. Hmph, strange guy."

Kiana mumbled, holding up her hand and looking at the ceiling. Her loosely tied white braids were even more radiant than the snow-white comforter. Sunlight filtered through her fingers, casting dappled light on her small face, giving her a blush that made her look incredibly cute.

Being treated like this felt good, but the somewhat tsundere girl would never admit it.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the coffee shop.

Su Qing'an was in his room, studying the Void Sword Qi. He was now reasonably sure that this book of Void Sword Qi was indeed a gift from a God. If he considered everything a game, the Void Sword Qi would likely be the beginner's package.

The reason for his confirmation was simple: Atropos had told him.

Atropos hadn't directly answered Su Qing'an's last words before his revival. Atropos, as a witness, was a tool-like entity. He had no reason to lie, but also no reason to explain rules or things outside his limited information.

However, not answering was itself an answer.

The conclusion was that the Void Sword Qi was a product of a God, possibly a modified version, the original, or an incomplete one.

Regardless, he couldn't decipher any of them.

This was the helplessness of limited ability and information disparity.

With no way to resist or break through, he could only obediently begin cultivating.

"Sword Heart Technique," the young man closed his eyes. "I can only try it first."

"Li-ye... Luo-leng-po... Na-ra..." The room echoed with the young man's clearly enunciated, strange syllables. An invisible force field ebbed and flowed, transforming into a mysterious power that calmed his mind to a state of utter tranquility.

Legend had it that the Void Sword Qi comprised five essences: Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, and Spirit. The Heart Essence was the introductory essence, and the most difficult one besides the Sword God.

It was divided into four stages of cultivation.

The Heart Realm merging into a lake: Still Water.

The Heart Lake freezing over: Dustless.

The Heart Ice becoming transparent: Clear Mirror.

The Heart Qi becoming formless: Void.

According to the philosophy and limitations of this martial art, men could at most reach the Dustless realm.

But no one understood what the God-modified Void Sword Qi truly looked like, or what Su Qing'an's ultimate limit would be.

The bewilderment of transmigration, the seven days spent with Hua, the pain of death, the guilt of breaking promises, the despair of facing the Honkai, the resolve and anger when escaping Changkong City, and the death that descended again amidst the falling cherry blossoms.

All these emotions surged back like an unstoppable tide as his mind was calmed by the strange syllables.

The syllables possessed a mysterious power, like a moving train with immense inertia. Even as his emotions surged to the brink of losing control, the syllables from the young man's mouth continued to be uttered at a steady pace.

"Li-ye... Luo-leng-po... Na-ra..." Su Qing'an felt an inexplicable power flowing through his limbs, his chaotic emotions, as vast and deep as mountains and oceans, gradually coalescing into drops of water.

After a long, long time.

When his emotions settled again, Su Qing'an opened his eyes.

A Heart Lake, as vast as the ocean, had formed.

Heart Realm merging into a lake: Still Water.

Sword Heart, achieved.